NewsmaxZogby Poll: Romney Leads Over Obama Nationally — 47%-46%

Mitt Romney is leading Barack Obama 47 percent to 46 percent, according to the latest NewsmaxZogby nationwide tracking poll.

There was more bad news for the president in the poll: Overall, 48 percent of those polled said it was time for someone new when asked if Obama deserved to be re-elected; only 43 percent said he should stay in office.

When asked if they approved of the job he is doing as president, 48 percent said they “strongly’ or “somewhat” approved. More, 51 percent, said they “strongly” or “somewhat” disapproved.

Catholics continued to favor the Republican nominee, 49 percent to 45 percent; as did seniors (65 and older), 59 percent to 38 percent. Romney holds a 10-point lead among men: 52 percent to 42 percent.

The latest results of the poll, conducted Friday, Oct. 26 through Sunday, Oct. 28, show Romney gaining momentum. The previous NewsmaxZogby, polled released on Friday, Oct. 26, had the former Massachusetts governor tied with the president at 48 percent each.

Independents weighed heavily in Romney’s favor in this round of polling — 47 percent to 42 percent — a clear sign of how they can sway an election.

“Just over a three-day period, [there was] a complete turnover in our sample. Obama loses that lead among independents. Romney has it now,” pollster John Zogby told Newsmax on Friday of the all-important independent vote. “That’s how volatile independents can be. Will they go up and down until Election Day?”